Sandra Fluke may seek Henry Waxman House seat

[OneCrazyDiamond]

Source: Politico

Sandra Fluke, who became an instant celebrity when she was denied the opportunity to testify at an all-male hearing on Obamacare’s contraception requirements, is “strongly considering” a bid for Rep. Henry Waxman’s congressional seat, according to KPCC, a Southern California radio station.

“I’m flattered that I’m being discussed as a potential candidate,” she told the station. “A number of folks I respect very deeply have reached out today and encouraged me to run. I am strongly considering running.”


Fluke rose to stardom in 2012 as a Georgetown Law student, when she was denied the chance to testify at a Republican-led House oversight hearing on Obamacare’s contraception coverage requirements. The controversy went viral when conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh called her a “prostitute” and a “slut” because of her need for birth control.



Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/01/sandra-fluke-congress-henry-waxman-102882.html

[hlthe2b]

1. WOW!

[underpants]

42. That was my reaction too

[Dawson Leery]

2. Good luck teakooks.

This is a safe Democratic seat.

[VanillaRhapsody]

3. Oh that would make some heads explode!

[Iliyah]

60. Good, and Rush's head may roll off his body

[Thinkingabout]

4. The fastest way to stardom, stand up to the GOP, then Rush does the rest.

I am not in the district but we need a strong person who does not mind speaking up.

[another_liberal]

5. She is the kind of Representative our country needs.

Is there a place where we can contribute to her campaign?

[OneCrazyDiamond]

6. It looks like rumor right now.

I thought it would bring a little sunshine to the Waxman news.

[sheshe2]

7. Boom!

[freshwest]

27. And be sure to...

[sheshe2]

28. Hey freshwest!

[freshwest]

32. And hey to your own sweet self! Gotta run to Urgent Care, will see you later. n/t

[alp227]

8. I would vote for Fluke, but not if she's carpetbagging.

I don't know what connections she has to Waxman's district.

[LynneSin]

14. According to Wiki she passed the California Bar in 2012

So my guess is she is somewhere in California. She also received an award from a Woman's Lawyer Group of Los Angeles organization. So my guess is that she is living in California somewhere - if it's Waxman's district who knows.

[alp227]

17. Wow. I never knew she's from L.A.

http://twitter.com/SandraFluke

Twitter says "Los Angeles" as her location. Interesting.

Former Rep. from NY Elizabeth Holtzman is the youngest woman elected to Congress at age 31. Fluke would be 33 if she were to win in Nov. 2014. Wonder where that would rank.

Marianne Williamson, the spiritual teacher, also wants to run for the seat.

[SoapBox]

38. Oh!

I hope you or others might follow this and post updates...if she does, it will be interesting to hear what she has to say.

[merrily]

65. She is not originally from L.A., but is there now, I guess.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_Fluke

[freshwest]

9. I love it! I hope Waxman endorses her to take his place. She's ready for the challenge. n/t

[BlueStreak]

23. Awesome. I wonder if there will be a going away party for Henry

He is a true American hero. I'd seriously consider traveling to DC if there were a big rally to thank him for his decades of service.

[sheshe2]

30. Wow, check this out, freshwest~

Although best known for her advocacy for gender equality and reproductive justice, for the last decade, Sandra Fluke has devoted her career to public interest advocacy for numerous social justice concerns, such as LGBTQ rights, worker rights, economic justice, immigrant rights, and international human rights, including focusing on the impact to communities of color.

Sandra came to national attention in February, 2012, when Congressional Republicans prohibited her from testifying, instead hearing from a panel of only men on a question of women’s health. She then testified before the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee on the importance of women’s own private insurance covering contraception. Despite ongoing personal attacks, she continues speak out for social justice across news outlets, and addressed the Democratic National Convention. She served as a surrogate for the President in his reelection campaign, and helped elect over a dozen progressive candidates to Congress.

Continuing her public advocacy, Sandra speaks to audiences across the country, in addition to her legislative policy work in Sacramento and D.C., and pro bono representation of victims of human trafficking.

snip/
http://sandrafluke.tumblr.com/

[freshwest]

31. I can't see anyone with a brain or heart voting against those... n/t

[Auntie Bush]

10. I've always thought I'd like her in politics someday...but not yet.

She's still too young and inexperienced...IMHO.

[mrmpa]

12. Youth and inexperience...........

hasn't stopped many a tea-bagger from running and winning. The minimum requirement for the House of Representatives is for the candidate to be 25 years old.

[LynneSin]

24. Waxman was 30 when he first ran for office and 36 when he first ran for Congress

Can you imagine if someone told him he was too young and inexperienced??!! What a loss to our party that would have been!

BTW he was elected to the CA State Assembly in 1969 when he was 30 and US House in 1975 when he was 36.

[mrmpa]

33. To think if he had only run when he was 25...........

we would have had 5 more years of his incessant wisdom and goodness.

[bigdarryl]

20. That's a stupid reason not to seek office

We need new progressives in office.Maybe it will get some of these lazy kids off there duffs and start voting

[LynneSin]

22. She's 33 and she's done a pretty damn good job so far

She has testified before congressional hearing, has had her name ripped by the right-wing and spoke amazingly well at the DNC.

Must we wait til she gets her AARP card until we allow her to run for office? I say she's in her prime!

Joe Biden started serving as a US Senator at age 30. Waxman was 36 years old when he first served in the US House.

I think Ms. Fluke is in her prime and should run for office now!

[Auntie Bush]

36. OK, you convincd me! I didn't take much.

I guess I was just so shocked that she might run as I had always considered and wanted her to run someday. I guess someday came faster than I expected.
Now I have had time to reconsider and I'm all for her running now and I might even donate to her...soon as I can fork up the money. I haven't donated to anyone yet but I hope to.

[LynneSin]

45. Well don't have to donate

But I think she would be great in DC

[BlueStreak]

25. Waxman was 36 when he was elected to Congress. Was he too young?

[Tx4obama]

41. Current young members of Congress...

Click on the below link and then click on the 'little down arrow' at the top of the 'age at inauguration' column.

Here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_current_members_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives_by_age_and_generation

There are MANY folks that were younger than Fluke when they were sworn in.

[Triana]

11. I'd vote for her in a heartbeat! n/t

[Auntie Bush]

16. If she does run...I'd vote for her in a heartbeat too.

I just prefer she'd wait a few more years.
All those young Teabaggers don't seem to be doing so well or acting responsibly...although I know Fluke would.

[SunSeeker]

34. If she waits a few years, she'll be running against an incumbent and won't stand a chance.

This is her golden opportunity. She should hop on it. I think she would be a fantastic representative. What she lacks in experience she way more than makes up for with her incredible intelligence, eloquence and heart.

[Auntie Bush]

53. I'm sold!

Run Sandra run!

[Firebrand Gary]

13. I'm going to be smiling for the rest of the day!

I sincerely hope that she chooses to run, I'd bet those in the house who attempted to keep her silent are rethinking their strategy!

[flamingdem]

15. I will vote for her!! (Not for the Course in Miracles candidate thanks) nt

[Spitfire of ATJ]

18. Couldn't resist....

[JDPriestly]

19. How long has she been living in that district?

Malibu, Beverly Hills, Marina del Rey, Santa Monica (sometimes called the socialist state of the US). That's some very expensive real estate. Lots of liberals, but . . . . they have their favorites.



I hate to be a wet blanket, but this candidate has some following too. I don't know what party she is running for, but I have seen her campaign materials. She is very well known in the area because she is a writer, author of the Course of Miracles, which is pretty popular and founder of Project Angel Food. I haven't read her books.

http://www.marianneforcongress.com/

There may be other candidates, so don't get too excited too soon. Marianne Williamson has quite a following in LA. I don't have a favorite at this time, but I am just saying not to get your hopes up for Sandra Fluke because that is going to be a hotly contested seat.

Waxman can't really be replaced. He has so much seniority and therefore so much influence and power. We will miss him. (I don't live in his district.)

[bigdarryl]

26. She's running as an Independent

But looking at her campaign video it looks like she has progressive values.But that's bad news because she may take votes away from the eventual Democratic Party candidate giving the seat to a rethug.

[Brother Buzz]

54. California's Open Primary would preclude that

California Open Primary

California's blanket primary system was ruled unconstitutional in California Democratic Party v. Jones in 2000 because it forced political parties to associate with candidates they did not endorse. Then in 2004, Proposition 62, an initiative to bring the nonpartisan blanket primary to California, failed with only 46% of the vote. However, Proposition 14, a nearly identical piece of legislation, passed on the June 2010 ballot with 53.7% of the vote.

Under Proposition 14, statewide and congressional candidates in California, regardless of party preference, participate in the nonpartisan blanket primary, and the top two candidates advance to the general election. This does not affect the presidential primary, local offices, or non-partisan offices such as judges and the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
In federal elections

The 2012 general election was the first non-special election in California to use the nonpartisan blanket primary system established by Proposition 14. As a result, eight congressional districts featured general elections with two candidates of the same party: the 15th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 43rd, and 44th with two Democrats, and the 8th and 31st with two Republicans.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nonpartisan_blanket_primary#California_Open_Primary

[SoapBox]

39. +100

Thanks for posting.

[itsrobert]

66. Justin Beiber is in that district

But as a Canadian he can't vote.


She better grab it before Will Smith puts one of his kids up for the nomination.

[abelenkpe]

21. I'd vote for her

Wait....does she live here? Does she need to?

[bigdarryl]

29. Good question she lives in LA but where

[Aldo Leopold]

35. Nice!

Now there's some exciting news!

[perdita9]

37. Where do I send the check?

We need more women like Sandra Fluke in Congress

[Tx4obama]

40. Great news! It's time for the new generation :)

Democratic politicians and activists that have strong voices and are young enough now (50 and under) to be around for at least the next thirty years...

Wendy Davis (1963)
Kamala Harris (1964)
Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (1966)
Kirsten Gillibrand (1966)
Tammy Duckworth (1968)
Gabby Giffords (1970)
Alison Lundergan Grimes (1978)
Kyrsten Sinema (1976)
Sandra Fluke (1981)
Tulsi Gabbard (1981)

Gavin Newsom (1967)
Cory Booker (1969)
Julian Castro and Joaquín Castro (1974)
Jared Polis (1975)
Joseph P. Kennedy III (1980)

[Tx4obama]

43. From Sanda Fluke's Wiki BIO

-snip-

Early life

Sandra Fluke is a native of Saxton, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Pennsylvania's Tussey Mountain Junior/Senior High School in 1999.[9] In 2003, Fluke graduated from Cornell University with a major in Feminist, Gender & Sexuality Studies.[10]

Career

Fluke co-founded the New York Statewide Coalition for Fair Access to Family Court,[11][12][13][14][15] which successfully advocated for legislation granting access to civil orders of protection for unmarried victims of domestic violence, including teen LGBTQ victims. Fluke was also a member of the Manhattan Borough President's Taskforce on Domestic Violence and numerous other New York City and New York State coalitions that successfully advocated for policy improvements impacting victims of domestic violence.[10][14][15][16] While in New York City, she worked for Sanctuary for Families, which aids victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.[10][17]

In 2011, Fluke was a recipient of the Women Lawyers of Los Angeles' Fran Kandel Public Interest Grant from Georgetown University Law Center,[17] which supported her production of a video on how to take out a restraining order.[18] She also "represented numerous victims of domestic violence and human trafficking"[14] and worked to help child victims of domestic human trafficking in Kenya.[19] She served as president of the Georgetown Law Students for Reproductive Justice student organization,[20] and graduated cum laude in 2012. She passed the California Bar in July 2012.[2]

-snip-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandra_Fluke

[Tx4obama]

44. On her personal website, Fluke writes...

-snip-

On her personal website, Fluke writes that she's "devoted her career to public interest advocacy for numerous social justice concerns, such as LGBTQ rights, worker rights, economic justice, immigrant rights, and international human rights, including focusing on the impact to communities of color."

-snip-

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/30/sandra-fluke-congress-_n_4697696.html

Personal website here: http://sandrafluke.tumblr.com/

[sheshe2]

55. She would be a wonderful addition!

I love Sandra Fluke!



snip///

Fluke also singled out Romney’s running mate Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., who worked on legislation that would have redefined rape, banned abortion in all cases, and cut off funding for abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood.

“It would be an America in which you have a new vice president who co-sponsored a bill that would allow pregnant women to die preventable deaths in our emergency rooms,” she said.

The young law student then gave a hearty endorsement for a country headed by President Obama.

“An America in which our president, when he hears a young woman has been verbally attacked, thinks of his daughters — not his delegates or donors — and stands with all women,” said Fluke. “And strangers come together, reach out and lift her up. And then, instead of trying to silence her, you invite me here, and give me a microphone, to amplify our voice.”

Talk of a woman’s choice has flooded the political arena of late, and Fluke played to that, signaling to Americans that the choice that matters the most is the one they will make this November.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/09/sandra-fluke-gives-voice-to-women-shut-out-and-silenced/

[itsrobert]

67. Only LGBTQ's

I nominate Kathy Griffin. She supports LGBTQI2-S and A's

[PatrynXX]

46. ie the Woman who stood up to men and said women should have a right

to Cancer treatment. which isn't their narrative but is the facts.

[heaven05]

47. I hope she wins

and put's rushpig in his place. You go girl!

[DeSwiss]

48. THANKS RUSH!!!

- I couldn't think of a better choice!!!!!!!

[BobbyBoring]

49. That slut??

LOL! I hope she does and wins!

[nirvana555]

50. Wow! I was away from my desk at work and came back to a message from my friend

who lives in Venice Beach and she is SO excited. I googled Ms. fluke and OMG she has quite a lot to offer!! I knew about the controversy but very little about her. Apparently she does live here (in L.A.) and her husband (or fiancé)!is a writer/director. This is my district and I can't tell you how energized I and my friend (who can be very cynical) are right now!

[jaysunb]

51. She'll have to get in line.

This seat will be hotly persued...first and foremost by former Rep Howard Berman.

Good luck if it's true

[nirvana555]

52. We need to have a whole commercial with folks from all different walks of

life saying, "THANKS RUSH"! (Get me Spielbergs number)!

[Tx4obama]

56. The three candidates so far for CA-33 are...

Wendy Greuel (Democratic)
Brent Roske (Independent)
Bill Bloomfield (Independent)

Here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2014#California

[jaysunb]

57. There will be 5 more by dawn. :) n/t

[itsrobert]

68. It's a big money district

It will be a big field.

[Cha]

58. K^R

[NewJeffCT]

59. I wonder if the news

will give Rush "the Big One"?

[iandhr]

61. We should lend Rush a megaphone.

Every time he opens his mouth he gives us a political gift.

[valerief]

62. Waxman's a great loss but Fluke would robably be a good replacement. nt

[SpartanDem]

63. In a district and state she's only live in for a few months?

she's barely of out law school and her resume is way too thin.

[WillyT]

64. K & R !!!

[yurbud]

69. SHE CHANGED HER MIND: aiming for state legislature

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/02/sandra-fluke-henry-waxman-california-seat-103149.html?ml=la